1954-02-20 — Page 6

Page

The Berla Case

"DYNAMISM” OR DISINTEGRATION?

OME

By Ghita

Ionescu

the

one;

days after Bolshevik Party, what we are Malenkov spoko to now witnessing is a struggle between three different branches the Supreme Soviet 1

-the three most important met a "progressive" friend brancher of the Soviet State, of mine. He describes him- The Communist Party is self as a radical. But he the Secret Police and the Army others, Recall, my attends "Peace Congressen**

friend, what Beris was accused everywhere, has just re- of. What was his most terrible turned from a visit to the crime?" Communist-sponsored Youth Festival in Rumania, and reada everything the Com- munist publishing houses

"Being an imperialist agent."

"No, that is not so. It was sald that because of his other crimes send him.

he was, in efect, an imperialist

But agent.

what He seemed pleased with Malenkov accused him of was trying to set the life. "Well," he said, "do maloly

MVD above the Communist you remember saying that M

Party. Ho

was after Stalin

icading his died there

Ministry in a conspiracy against would be convulsions in the Soviet Union ?”

the State."

I nodded. "S#1 foo) the same way? You

still

think there'll "be troubles? Disintegration' you colied it."

I nodded again. "But

surely,

the Party for the leadership of

12

Somewhat to my surprise, my friend agreed that this was the main indictment. But i think

saict, "i true," he

cannot understand how Beria was remonstrated arrested so easily. The Party But the Secret my friend, "surely you saw that is unarmed. at the Supreme Soviet Male Police-well, it's as powerful na kov was still firmly in command the Army." and that he had with him on the platform all his colleagues who

make up the

leadership?"

"Including Beria?"

jected.

"NO"

You

collectivo

I inter-

have

us

wax

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, 'FEBRUARY · 20, 1954,

THE NEW EXPLOITS OF

SHERLOCK

66 YR

HOLMES

YES, Holmes, the autumn is But a melancholy time. you are in need of this holiday. After all, you should be interested in such a country type us that man we see from the window."

My friend Mr Sherlock Holmes, closing the book in his hands, glanced languidly out of the window of our private sitting-room at the inn near East Grinstead.

"Pray be explicit, Wal- son," said he. "Do you refer to the cobbler

Lo the farmer ?"

or

In the country road past the

head down

age from ours!

ita We

made

of

perceive."

#

Starting in the Chins Mall today is the socond story of a NEW series of mysteries of Sherlock Holmes. The stories are-based an ・ cases referred to in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original works, but never before recounted." Now...... they are told by Adrion Cónan Doyle, Sir Arthur's son and literary executor, and John Dickson Carr, mystery writor and a leading authority on Holmes.

..

The

Adventure of the

Adrian

Conan Doyle and John Dickson Carr

Somebody stabbed him when he ruised it to drinic”,

ugomobody?” zuid, a volom las the background.

Holmes

and,

had lifted the G after examining it closely

was looking at the scratches and

wine stains which "had" Perpla beneath it when the shock” of Interruption mnda ingall turn towards the far end at the banqueting hall,

this Int

A man was standing near the

The

of a single

light

his houd!. illumined a

pair of

taper which he had raised above

dark brooding

eyes thep

swered at us from a face as

black-browed

and swarthy as of some Arialuisian gipsy. There was

an 'impression of formidable strength in the spread

“A man lay sprawled forward with his arms outsung on!

either side of the cup..

of

BLACK BARONET

gave

ما

In my mind rose moated manor-

AS

the doar was opened. I to at

must confess reassurance

Well,

stono- and

in consternation.

Plemen," came Bassett's voice.

the

his shoulders and in his bull nock above an ald-fashioned black satin stock

"How's this?" he challenged in a rumbling volco, advancing on us with alent steps. "Why are

ye? A pretty state of affairs, Basselt, whon ye drag a set of strangers into the house of your own landlord?" "I would remind Reginald.

has been

you, Sir

that a serious crime committed," replied

the local detective sternly. "This

I know

Wine

To my amaze ment Holtues socmed a

ously to con sider this monstrous sintement

Were

BLOG

in the door for a moment, please

As he moved forward, reflection of four candle-flames followed him along the surface of a great refoctory table, with His narrow side towards the door.

for one circum At the far end the light fished back from a tall silver goblet Ingth, "I should probably egres stance, Bir Reginald," he said at with А human motionless

hand lying with you."

smiled Grection forward the "we're all aware

circumstance.

The Inspector knife

inn I could seo a man on the in his soft Sussex burr, "and so I've had a second telegram, and gravelled surface of the cause for jealousy. She paused is Inspector Cifegson, from Lon- driver's so01 a market-cart, hurried-ilke that up I must come there's now evidence. It uppears way. clearly a farmer,

But otherwise without even

and these gentlemen aro taking off me to

don; implicate Sir Reginald

"How's this, my there was only an elderly work-

lady?" Mr

Holmes Sherlock

and Dr All Here he is now." Lavington apron.

himself

"H'm, ha! Four sets of foot exclaimed Gregson, Jealousy?" Colonci man in corduroy trousers, plod A tall, fair-haired mun, wear- Daley was well-known in prints. Hullo, what's this? The

The two detectives exchanged Watson."

A shade of uneasiness socied ding towards the cart with his ing a heavy uister and a Scotch sporting circles, but with none hoof-marks

of a horse, and glances. ridden, to Judge by

to fit across, the day face of "Now you come to the heart

motive the baromet swathed around his throat, too good a reputation. This is furiously Surely

"We hadn't got a Plaid cobbler,"

as he looked at observed rushed into the room, threw his crime in high life, Mr Holmes, their depth. Probably the first

before,"

"muttered Bassett. of the matter," I said. "You Holmes, answering my thought Gladstone bag into the nearest and there

Holmes mention the Army. It's the rather than my words.

is no room for mie- mummons to the police.

Lady

Lavington, ife is corner,

formerly ""I've heard of_ye," he growled." of course not. But the Army which provides the key

and, curtly dismissing takes."

Gregson, there's not much to be that. great Betress Margaret left-handed, 'Affaire Beria' is all over and the situation.

with.

Unica Barta's done

"Yes, Buck Dalcy's death Holmes, you would have been the landlord, closed the door Lavington Lavington?" gained here. Let us hope that Montpension, had said what she a gaze moved towards the deat

man. must

to way and probably

dammed. noticed the

to men knew that, for the moment accused of wizardry in another behind him. Then he nodded to mused Holmes. "Surely, Watson, the scene of the crime may yield had over Intended calm, unanimous at least, the Army would alde

us both

when Why the man

Holmes bowed gravely, and we his we drove last week to more interesting resulta."

reputation way in which his dismissal was

now. followed the with

sergeant towards Ühe

visit the Bodiam Ruins, did we Party, the Did that, and

a cobbler I cannot approved.

should be Party

HOLMES Изо

"Ah, Gregson," said Holmes,

horses, women-well, there have an arched door. not pass

village of Anished speak- through carried out other signs I have

left-handed "there

been Lavingtons like that. May conceive, but mentioned, couldn't have

must be something that name?

Though the room we entered I seem to recall a in the way it did. indicate disintegration? On the coup

cobbler? You cannot have de-

in the wind to bring house lying in

jag, unusual

hay, Mr Holmes, yo have the was in completo darkness, I hollow,"

wit contrary,

know that the Army is, in fact,

duced it." didn't i

to recognise a look

miąchance had a sense of height and size. when others talk of murder," you so far afleid!"

nodded. though

skling with the Party because it The new Government made an announcement to that

"My dear fellow, observe the

There

are no lights here morka was well-established?”

ACTUSS the corduroy "What a casel" cried inspector the memory of

except from this candlestick, "Now Just

effcet a few days after the arrest. migute,

trousers where the cobbler rests Tobias Gregson, sinking into the house, almost stifled amid yew the sight of the Jus

We can now understand why.

which a sense of stolid, red. which I had pushed to trees, from friend," I said, "Not so fast. I

his lapstone. The left-hand side, chair

seemed to "Whew! remark,

faced you will

is far more words him. didn't expect any upheavals at after Stalin's death. Malenkov

butler What a oppressiveness hard all for song while,

He uses cusc! As soon as we had

weigh I thought put Army leaders in high places

the worn than the right.

who ushered us into E upon me. That's his left hand

right, Mr Holmen," Bagged thought Voroshilov,

hall, mellow for hammering telegram at the Yard, I the need for self-preservation in in the Government. the face of internal and external

agreed. Gregson. "A house in beautiful in the leather. Would that all our It would do no VOLL remember,

the light of old harm to have umculties would

of Slate force Stalia's Head

My gulde-book saya and Bulganin

problems were so simple!" word with you in Baker Street a bollow.

many branched fashioned, successors to hold together for

and Zhukov were given

unofficial, of course, Mr. Holmes. that at Lavington the past is candlesticks. At the far end cx-

more real than the present. Will stairway THAT year of Then, when Mrs Hudson

led up to an the time being. I was surprised clusive

oaken control over defence. --even startled-when i heart

1 8 8 9 had me your address, I decided

you come with me?”

gallery on the floor above, the

sume come on "Obviously the Party decided

brought news about Beria. Only

My

his friend leaped from down. It's leas than

ginger-haired man, that the threat from the MVD,

A thin, aigsilicant 30 miles

from hore the

to

"By all means," he cried. place chair.

who had been warming his coat which controls alomic arme-

successes in Kent where the murder was "No, Watson, not a word!" FALTUL

Sherlock committed." He mopped at bia forced labour

The excellent establishment of tails before the fire, hurried to- Holmes,

which forehead. "One of the oldest Mr John Houth

again supplied wards us, had added families in the county, they tell us with a cartinge in which for further Laureis

urcis me. By heaven, just wait to the two hours We were driven to his already formidable re-

through the narrow, deep-rutted re papers get hold of it," putation. But the strain of al-

Sussex lanes. By the time that most unremitting work had left

"I take it that you are Ser- we had crossed the Kent border its mark upon him, and

WUS

the chill in the air made us glad geant Bassett of the Kent County sincerely relieved when he

had

"My dear Holmes," I Inter- of our rugs. We had turned off Constabulary"?" fallen in with my proposal that posed, "you are here on a rest," the main road,

and

were we should exchange the October

The ginger - haired man the "Yes, yes, Watson," said my descending a steep lane when fogs of Baker Street for the rich friend hurriedly, "but it will do the coachman posted with his nodded. That will do. Guilings.

"BL throat's beon out," autumnal beauty of the Sussex no harm to hear the details, whip at a noat-girdled house We'll ring when we need you. napped Bassett, "And here countryside.

spread out below us in the grey This is a dreadful business, sit, he cried, darting to the wall, My friend possessed a marked

dreadful!" he went on, as the "was the dagger that did it!" resillence, and the few days of "know no more than the

"Lavington Court," said he. butler departed. "And now it's

worse than over.

WE reluxation had already put back bare facts given in this telegram

hastened

dagier the old nervous

spring in his from the county police. Colonel

A FEW minutes

forward to hung here?" he demanded. and a touch of colour in his Jocelyn Daley, who was a guest

later we had

"Yes, sir. Here's a step

where he was "1 took it," said Sir Reginald, checks. Indeed, I welcomed of Str Reginald

Lavington at

alighted from gambler stabbed

holding up his "Ob, you did, did you?. Why?" even his occasional outbursts of Lavington Court,

our carriage, drinking a toast to his best race. to as a sign that his stabbed impatience

As wo crossed horse, and Sir Reginald claims the Causeway to have been absent at the time, vigorous nature had shaken off banqueting-hall, the lassitude which had follow- found him there at about ten-

the front and yet the knife." The local od upon his last case.

broke off and looked door I had a thirty this morning!

a detective Holmes had it his pipe, and I died; blood still flowing."

sombre impres- at us. "Who are these gentle had picked up my book when

Holmes put down his book on alon of dead leaves on dark men?” there came a knock on the door tho table, "Suicide? Murder? sullen water and a great battle- Thoy are Mr Sherlock and the landlord entered.

What?" he asked.

mented tower looming through Holmes and Dr Watson. You "There be a gentleman to see "It

Holmes struck a may speak freely," couldn't be suicide; no the twilight,

But you, Mr Holmes,

the sir," he said weapon was discovered.

mulch and stooped over

G. Ionescu, a Rumanian Econo- mint now living in London, is Vico-Chairman of the Emigro International Federation of Free Journalists, He took a leading part in the submission to the United Nations of memoranda on Prom Freedom and fluman Rights and in 1952 appeared be- fore the United Jouw Ad Hoc Committee on Food Labour giving evidence about forced la bour in countries behind the Iron Curtain. He frequently broadcasts over BBC. wave-e lengths.

four mouths after Stalla's death And Berla, of all people! The man who played such a pro- minent part of Stalin's funeral, the man who was second only to Minienkov the new hiërar- chy, the man who beaded the most powerful Ministry in the Government!"

and

na

well as security, was so great that it must buy the support of the Army even though it meant strengthening the Army's hand."

"You may be right,** con- ceded my friend, when you say that the purge of Beria affects not inly the Party but the Soviet State but that, too, can be described as Com- minist dynamism,"

You can call that dynamism if you like," continued. "No doubt you will still call it dynamism when Masterkov turns round and purges Zhukov and Bulganin. That is, it be is able to. But suppose he lat able to? I must insist on that point, even if it means reading you J lecture. (Aller all, you're always reading me onel). By liquidating Beria and strik- Ing at the power of the

MVD, Milenkov has automatically strengthened the Army. And "Yes, 1 grant you

that we the soldiers may now be nover expected it would

be powerful that it

may be they Beria. But 35-(" knew theter who will dismiss Malenkov, would be someone, SQU11 CA later.

Occasional purges arc inevitable In П Communist state."

"Well, that's

anyway." I said.

an

admission State

90

"Soldiers In A totalitarian traditionally sense when "But when the conduct of affairs is going

how worried Hitler's

Stalin died i seemed to renem astray. We now know, for ber your Communist friends say- ing with an air of relief that at stance,

least it would mean the end of Generals were over the Rhine-

all the fear and distrust, and land and OVCT Austria and

therefore of the purges."

Munich. because

They

to

Well, Gregson?”

death

has been In the The butler

He'd just

THE CHAPMAN PINCHER COLUMN

Pincher reporting news-in-science

dusk.

to

100 men of sport are trying

MALL brown

SMA

the doctor's twice-a-day

pep-up pills

tablets The Harringay

.usc

in A

now

Europe's birds,

"Inspector Gregson?" he asked. Thank the Lord you've come,

sir."

famous when he was

Batsett On either side.

thrust

candelabrum.

"LookAL this, Gregson!"

Of

that iniating "I did not say that it was the knife

Scated at the 'head of the

} table, his cheek resting upon the

"There was no need for you SITTACO В пов lay sprawled

A forward with his arms outfung man cut his own throat by! apel-

to pay so, Mr Holmes. on either side of the cup dent and afterwards compon]: the Against the welber of blood and

weapon?" wing his fair hair shone under

candle-flames.

light agalart

Seizing the candelabrum from the sergeant, Gregson held it up to the trophy of arms, which littered against the dark panel- Ling. His atern eyes mat thorp of the baronet. "Where is

he'

that

the old wains there,

cotting.

1

fold Sergeant Bassett.

Wes

fishing the

I used that old blads Amid morning, trophy of to gut the pike; se my arm two fathers did before me," small metal books showed where Then you have it?” some weapon had hung,

"How do you know that it was

a dagger?” asked Gregion.

"No; must I tell the police dozen times? 1, lost it from, my reel. Mayhap at the river, of on my way home."

Baaselt pointed to a slight "Well, Mr Holmes, I've heard of your clever reputation," re- scratch on the woodwork wome marked Sergeant Bassett doubt six incher below. Holmes nodded

Gregson drew the sergeant to fully.

one side, "But there's not much approvingly. mystery about this affair, and I "Glood, sergeant!" said be. "I think there's little more hope the police will receive the "But you have other, proof we need," I heard him mittag. credit."

besides the scratching on the "He wife has kivehi

motive, ani we have it from his "Gregson can tell you that i panelling?" play the game for the game's

own lips that he took the "Yes. Aak thet butler, weapon." sake,"

friend my

replied. Gilings. It's an old hunting. "Sir Reginald Lavington," he "Officially, I prefer not to ap- dagger; hung there for years, said with authority, advancing pear in this case.”

Now look at the wound in upon the baronet. "I musė sak Colonel Delcy's throat."

you to accompany me to Maid- stone police station. ́ ́ ́There you Inured though I was to acenes will be formally of

violence, I stepped:bed Bassett, laying hold yellow hair which was tinged with grey at the temples, raised the dead man's head. Even in death it was an eagle face, wila

"Very fair, I'm sure, Mr Holines. Then, gentlemen, please book about to come this `way."

Lenin expelled the Mensheviks to the verge of war, and they tested on 100 lending Br Club are also involved in the not-written again in splio oeing him across the half when a great neving - nowe -abaye a

*

tests

...

a

there came

a most unexpected remorseless mouth.

As sho

that the Fuchrer's policy must into "No, they said nothing of the inevitably lead Germany

Russian sort. IL showe

don't jusi

soldicts how war, ignorant you are of the revolu- like the idea of fighting a war certain of win- dialectic of Marxism they are not tonary

All went, cordially until he Purges are an essential of Com- ning, any more than German

soldiers do.

Soviet Gen-

Ice-hockey asked for a map showing bird] munist dynamism.

The Just 43

He picked up a four-branched in Rumia, The which seem to boost team and six players of highly distribution Marx expelled Bakhunin from crals know that the Communist the First International, just as Party has pushed the USSR human endurance are being successful Leicester City football Russian did not reply and headstick, and wo were follow

numerous notes to Mosintfort, interruption, and Stalln the Trotskyics, so may wish to take matters into Malenkov dealt with Berin, Why, their own hands before it is tish athletes. The trials, even, the terms of denunciation too late.

When Mountfort which have been in pro- STEWARDI MY BLINKERS!

anked

I have had considerable ex- Holmes. But aro similar. There's nothing

friendly Soviet official what perience of women in many direction for the "No, my friend,” I sald

in gress for two months, are new about the Beria business,

IT IS NOT so much the lurch could have happened the official parts of the world, but never peace to strike "this is no more being carried out by a well- ing of the ship that makes you; repiled: it's just part of the process conclusion,

"The poor fellow is have I beheld a more quaenly beneath. dynamism."

Party controversy, a disagree-known Harley Street doctor seasick as the sight of things probably now lated watching in presence

then the woman now ment between Party theore who is a former champion moving at unusual angite Siberia. The security police descending the stairs.

That is the belief of scientists would political up half-miler. "It's certainly a good word," ticians; this

never allow any such paused with her hand on the Sounds effective, heavi of the first order In I conceded.

after ingenious experimen 121 map out of Rumla,"

boulter, the

The local de almost convincing in fact and fact, a constitutional disintegra-

"Results so far convince into thinking they were moving

which 35 peopple were tri

tricked

Bo falling warmly

soft copper- I know you think you've

sgrimly. certainly rcholarly; Though I tion.

Mountfort's book, written in coloured hair and her havy- nice, scientifle theory,

Holmes, tabletsde when they were actually

it the min must say that if I were a Com- got

collaboration with Briflab bird- Lidded green eyes, I gained an whos

his victi munist I should hate to get this theory you call dynamism, finitely improve stamina in One at a time the people sat watcher

P. A. D. Hollon kumpression

of a beauty once heavy cup caught up in much a dynamic which you hope explains every

the cases of some Mara in a pivoted chair in the centre and brilliant US, bled artist radiant but now pale under the Daley would hat Intrigue, political crime or manifestation of lust for power thon

dreadful event both hands, runnors, swimmers, of a anall room. Then the whole Roger Peterson, is cally, the most stress of some

room was related round them t in the Soviet Union.

racing cycllats, and boxers," variable speed by an are authoritative and best ilustrated which she could not understand. that he and

picket bird book over published, at heard your name fà the drinking «ita kas he said. "They also seem motor in such a way

that they

hall, Mr Holmes," she cried, " of the Colo thought they · were spinning in to provent 'staleness.* ??

All threo authors were arrested know very little, but of one Leoparditev The tablets, made from boor the chair while the room wis as spies while gathering facts thing I am certain. My ba liver, contain a nutritive sub- stance first detected 18 months Though they had not moved for the book. to make events at the theory. ago by Professor John Yudkan many of the people became sické k and dizzy. Those who felt no Among the

maching."

You are svolding the issue, I suspect you cannot answer

me."

My friend, I think I can.

"But, really, you're worried and afraid. Things have been happening which your theory doesn't explain. So you monk to assure yourself by trying

I don't like to say this, but you - I'm sorry are gulity of mental confusion.m

me that the

for you, I really of London Wars who are effect were never sick, in into

Berial hot to be compared will After all, it's not as if y you taking two of these tablets every or strands,

the others you mention.

The Wero

Communist D

Come day are Frank Bando, thu The findings expulsion of Bakunin, Trotsky what may, the Communist feels Olymple six-mbo, Marnihon dvlon that wording dar and Co. was purely a Party he must suck to Communism runners Jim Poters, Ban Cox hould help to mattor. The Berin

The Borth case involve

· Ιπνοίνον or commit political suicide: But and Wally. Harward, cyclirul jockenfus,

Cyril Poncock and Don Shah TICKE

the Stater

dry ingenious," But

have to be more expilefants: you are only a sympatiile pe bune Olympdocahovies Good:

You are not bound blindly follow Marxism → Leninism

convince meds Procred Castellalem toho biter and Colver

*with pleasure." What I mean, You Aru mill £re) to face in

Bome of them have put up

on yell ht

band is innoosat, I beg that

| JD Will think of "thas, fest!! Mountfort was picked up by a p French gendarme while vorm at hime kastantly, above int For a moment Holmas looked in a bush, at sun, watching maloglous volos bad strupic sou blue herded wagalla Hind chord in his hemor CALLRENAŽNO: Happened to be

THE will bear your sig

li ming

To

charged

HOLMES darteå, fbrward. "One momu Gregson" cried, "You

א

hours to thin this over. your own saku I tell youz, "that tde from any good counsel would

your came to pieces,”ak janë

Holmes,

T

think hot, Mr especially with her ladyship

smiled the witness-box"

Sir Reginald started viol while a livid pallet mottled t wwerthiadau

not to

Wamy

wile into this. Whateve

said, she caft

here would not

peat what she ha In the premlch 'wiinderək.

one or two dona us in